Ian Flynn Confirms Capcom Owns the Archie Mega Man Characters

With Archie Comics' Mega Man series back in the spotlight, an old question has resurfaced: who exactly owns the rights to the original characters created for the comic, like Quake Woman and Dr. LaLinde? Capcom, Archie—maybe both? To finally settle the matter, Ian Flynn addressed the topic on the latest episode of the BumbleKast.

Kyle Crouse: Who owns the rights to the Mega Man characters that originated in Archie? (e.g. if Capcom willed it, could Tempo appear in Mega Man 12?)

Ian Flynn: As far as I'm aware, Capcom owns everything, and yeah; they could bring her back.

Kyle Crouse: Well... what are they waiting for?

Ian Flynn: Mega Man 12 I guess. 

Of course, Ian is joking about Mega Man 12. But the important point here is that there's been long-standing speculation about who owns characters that don't originate from the games—whether it's the author who created them, or the company or publisher they worked for. 

There are exceptions—such as Marty, who belongs to Yoshihiro Iwamoto—but in the case of the Archie Mega Man characters, Capcom retains full ownership. If they choose, we could absolutely see some of these original characters appear in future games, merchandise, or other projects.

Source: Pirate Queen vs. Pirate Queen?! | BumbleKast

An FAQ on Mega Man Timelines, Mega Man Adventures, and More

To help clear up any confusion about the different Mega Man books releasing this year, Udon Entertainment has shared a wealth of new details that may answer some of your most frequently asked questions. From Mega Man Timelines to Mega Man Adventures and beyond, here’s a breakdown of what’s coming and what you can expect.

Archie Comics Mega Man is Back - New Reprints From Udon Announced (Updated)

Keeping this secret was tough, but it's finally out—Udon Entertainment is reprinting Archie Comics' Mega Man series!

In collaboration with Archie, Udon is remastering the comics in an oversized format with new short stories from the original creative team. To top it all off, the first volume will be available in hardcover. More details, including the release date, are coming soon. (UPDATE: Udon has provided an FAQ to some of your burning questions. Check it out here.)

Originally published in 2011, the Archie Comics Mega Man run delivered fresh stories inspired by the classic series, with Ian Flynn as the lead writer. It wrapped up in 2015 after 55 issues, leaving the door open for a potential adaptation of Mega Man 4. 

While these reprints don’t guarantee a full revival, a strong reception could definitely turn some heads. Stay tuned for more updates soon!